SPECIAL DAYS OF LONG AGO

Villagers model variety of vintage wedding dresses

CHRISTINE GIORDANO

Published: Monday, January 15, 2007 at 10:40 a.m.

Last Modified: Monday, January 15, 2007 at 10:40 a.m.

THE VILLAGES — It was the first time her great-grandmother’s wedding gown had been worn since the small chapel wedding on New Year’s Eve in 1899. Last week, Glenda Wolff opened a cedar box and handed the precious vintage dress to Marilyn Richer, who slipped the white-lace gown over her petite figure and wreathed her hair with pink silk rosebuds.

For the Spring Fling fashion show at the Savannah Center last week, Marge Enloe models a Civil War-style wedding dress made by Debi Heinold.

CHRISTINE GIORDANO/THE REPORTER

Richer was joined by a Southern Belle in a replica Civil War gown who swept over the Scarlett O’Hara stage at the Savannah Center; a model in a cheeky 1920’s creme-colored wedding dress with matching hat; and a collection of ethnic dresses from across the globe.

The Spring Fling fashion show, presented by the dancers of Connie Waldron’s showbiz productions, showcased some of oldest fashions in The Villages.

The idea was to have the gowns seen and to raise money for costumes for the Starlettes, a performance troupe of local children. The show also featured the latest fashions from Beall’s department store.

Also in the show were Ruby Chanco, in a creme-colored lace wedding gown from the Philippines, joined by her traditionally dressed husband, Amado; former Ziegfeld dancer Shala Fitzsimmons, in a pink satin, sequined and feathered costume with a 3-foot feathered headdress; Pete and Thelma Albay in South Vietnamese wedding attire, and June Johnson in a sari from India.

Glenda Wolff made an appearance as “The Bride of the Future” in a white-finned leotard and go-go boots, bringing the crowd to laughter. Co-organizer Carlyn Drumm announced that the bride’s costume was designed so she could “planet hop” in her space shuttle during her honeymoon.

Men in tuxedos and white gloves helped the models off the stage and onto a runway. Tenor Chris Bolus sang songs that brought the audience to a standing ovation.

<p>THE VILLAGES  It was the first time her great-grandmother’s wedding gown had been worn since the small chapel wedding on New Year’s Eve in 1899. Last week, Glenda Wolff opened a cedar box and handed the precious vintage dress to Marilyn Richer, who slipped the white-lace gown over her petite figure and wreathed her hair with pink silk rosebuds.</p><p>Richer was joined by a Southern Belle in a replica Civil War gown who swept over the Scarlett O’Hara stage at the Savannah Center; a model in a cheeky 1920’s creme-colored wedding dress with matching hat; and a collection of ethnic dresses from across the globe.</p><p>The Spring Fling fashion show, presented by the dancers of Connie Waldron’s showbiz productions, showcased some of oldest fashions in The Villages.</p><p>The idea was to have the gowns seen and to raise money for costumes for the Starlettes, a performance troupe of local children. The show also featured the latest fashions from Beall’s department store.</p><p>Also in the show were Ruby Chanco, in a creme-colored lace wedding gown from the Philippines, joined by her traditionally dressed husband, Amado; former Ziegfeld dancer Shala Fitzsimmons, in a pink satin, sequined and feathered costume with a 3-foot feathered headdress; Pete and Thelma Albay in South Vietnamese wedding attire, and June Johnson in a sari from India.</p><p>Glenda Wolff made an appearance as The Bride of the Future in a white-finned leotard and go-go boots, bringing the crowd to laughter. Co-organizer Carlyn Drumm announced that the bride’s costume was designed so she could planet hop in her space shuttle during her honeymoon.</p><p>Men in tuxedos and white gloves helped the models off the stage and onto a runway. Tenor Chris Bolus sang songs that brought the audience to a standing ovation.</p><p>About 400 people attended, and the show collected about $2,000.</p><p></p><p>Contact Christine Giordano at 800-255-4105, 732-6058 or christine.giordano@</p><p>starbanner.com.</p>